Apr

17

April 1941

Heavy attack on London

On the [16th/17th] one of the heaviest attacks was made on London since the war began. Bombing commenced shortly after 2100 and lasted until nearly dawn.

Some sixty-six boroughs were affected, the main bombing being on central and southern London. Damage in the docks area was comparatively light and so far there is little damage to key points to record. In addition to H.E. and incendiary bombs a large number of parachute mines were dropped and great damage was done to private property by fire and blast.

Among the public buildings damaged were St. Pauls Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, the Admiralty, the Law Courts and the National Gallery. Many roads were blocked and the railway systems were hit in nineteen places. There were a large number of fires, the most serious being at L.N.E.R Goods Yard in Lisson Grove. Other serious fires were caused at Selfridges, Bessborough Gardens, Westminster, and the Kidbrooke R.A.F. Stores Depot. Although many fires were burning at daybreak, the situation was considered to be in hand.

From the Home Security Situation Report for the week , TNA CAB 66/16/10.

My uncle Jack, his wife, Phyllis and 2 year old son John-boy were killed, along with his parents in law, when Skipton Street air raid shelter took a direct hit in this raid. Their daughter (my cousin) was staying with my mother and grandmother that night – I have no idea why – and survives to this day.

My father. a Canadian solder serving at the Canadian High Commission was badly injured during this raid when the King George and Queen Elizabeth Victoria League Club. I never Knew my father as I was an illegitimate outcome of a relationship between him and my mother whom I also never knew as I was brought up in care almost from birth.. On the night of the raid my father was blinded in one eye and also suffered injuries to his chest. I have been told by a traced Canadian relative that it was 2 days before he was finally pulled out from the rubble. He died in 1984 having never told any of his family about me even though my being was known to him.

My father. a Canadian solder serving at the Canadian High Commission was badly injured during this raid when the King George and Queen Elizabeth Victoria League Club. I never Knew my father as I was an illegitimate outcome of a relationship between him and my mother whom I also never knew as I was brought up in care almost from birth.. On the night of the raid my father was blinded in one eye and also suffered injuries to his chest. I have been told by a traced Canadian relative that it was 2 days before he was finally pulled out from the rubble. He died in 1984 having never told any of his family about me even though my being was known to him.

My father lost his business that night and never recovered financially.
T.A.Smith & Co., Precious Stone Cutters, Lapidaries & Dealers in Gems.
66, Hatton Garden, E.C.1.
There is a biography THE LAPIDARY by Peter Lancaster which is available on Amazon.

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